How do I add a footer with page numbers to a PDF?

Drop your PDF, type "Page {page} of {total}" in the Bottom centre box (it is filled in by default), check the preview and click Add header & footer.

Can I add Bates numbers to multiple PDFs with continuous numbering?

Yes. Add all the files, put them in order with the arrow buttons, and switch to Bates numbering. Each file continues from the last number of the one before it, and you download them together as a ZIP.

Can I use the ₹ symbol or Hindi text?

Not yet. The tool uses the standard PDF fonts (Helvetica, Times, Courier), which only cover English and Western European characters. It tells you which characters are not supported before changing anything. Write "Rs" instead of ₹ for now.

Can I skip the cover page or stamp only some pages?

Yes. Tick "Skip the first page", or type a page range such as 2-10, 12. Bates numbers are only given to the pages that are stamped.

Are my PDFs uploaded?

No. The PDFs are read and stamped in your browser and never leave your device.

Why does my password-protected PDF not work?

The tool cannot change an encrypted PDF. Remove the password with Unlock PDF first, then add the header or footer.

Add Header and Footer to PDF

Put your own text, page numbers, the date or the file name in any corner of every page, or stamp legal Bates numbers that run on from one file to the next. Everything happens in your browser; your PDFs are not uploaded.

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Will this work for my PDF?

Page numbers, a title, "Confidential" or the date on every page

Any of six positions, in Helvetica, Times or Courier, any size and colour.

Bates numbering across several files

Numbering continues from file to file in the order you set; download as a ZIP.

Text with ₹, Hindi or other Indian scripts

Standard PDF fonts only cover English and Western European characters for now. Use "Rs" for ₹.

Images or logos in the header

Text only. For an image or logo stamp, use the watermark tool.

Add an image watermark

A password-protected PDF

Remove the password first, then add headers and footers.

Unlock the PDF

Features

Six positions: top and bottom, left, centre and right
Tokens for page number, page count, date and file name
Bates numbering with prefix, suffix and zero-padding
Bates numbers continue across multiple files (ZIP download)
Page ranges and "skip the cover page"
Correct on rotated and cropped pages: text lands on the edge you see, upright

Who uses headers, footers and Bates numbers

Legal document production

Bates-number a set of exhibits so every page has a unique reference, continuing across files.

Reports and submissions

Add "Page 3 of 12", a project name or "Confidential" to every page before you send a report.

Drafts and versions

Stamp the date and file name on each page so printed copies can be matched to their source.

How headers, footers and Bates numbers work

Templates and tokens

Each of the six boxes takes plain text plus tokens. {page} becomes the page number, {total} the number of pages in that file, {date} today's date (DD/MM/YYYY) and {file} the file name without ".pdf". For example, "Page {page} of {total}" in the bottom-centre box gives "Page 3 of 12".

{page} is the page's position in the file, so with "Skip the first page" on, the second page still reads "Page 2".

What Bates numbering is

Bates numbering gives every page in a set of documents a unique, sequential identifier such as ABC000001, ABC000002. It is used in litigation and audits so any page can be cited exactly. Choose a prefix, a start number, how many digits to pad to, and an optional suffix.

Add several PDFs and the numbering continues across them in the order shown: if the first file ends at ABC000040, the second starts at ABC000041. You get a ZIP with every numbered file, and the tool lists the range used for each one.

Rotated and cropped pages

Scanned pages are often stored sideways with a rotation flag, or have a crop box that hides part of the page. The tool places text on the page as your PDF viewer shows it, so a footer is at the bottom you see and reads upright.

Related tools

Only need page numbers? Add page numbers to PDF.
Want large diagonal text such as "DRAFT"? Use PDF Watermark.
Combining exhibits into one file first? Merge PDF, then add Bates numbers.
Password-protected file? Unlock it first.